My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Plagal of Fourth Tone
In thee the image was preserved with exactness, O Mother; for tasking
up thy cross, thou didst follow Christ, and by thy deeds thou didst teach
us to overlook the flesh, for it passeth away, but to attend to the soul
since it is immortal. Wherefore, O righteous Pelagia, thy spirit rejoiceth
with the Angels.
Kontakion Hymn. Second Tone
With fasting didst thou consume thy body utterly; with vigilant prayer
didst thou entreat thy Fashioner that complete forgiveness of thy
deeds be granted thee, which, O Mother, thou didst receive. The path
of repentance hast thou shown to us.
Early Life
Our holy Mother Pelagia lived in Antioch during the reign of the Roman Emperor Numerianus (283-284 A.D.). She was famous, wealthy, and extremely beautiful. Her soul, however, was sordid and defiled, and submerged in the morass of sensuality. She had no concerns other than to adorn her body and enhance her physical beauty with various cosmetics and expensive jewelry. Her goal was to attract lovers, thus plunging them into destruction. Many consumed their wealth and imperiled their lives and souls for her love. She owned many men and women servants. She boldly walked the streets with an incomparable appearance. The air about her was filled with scents of musk and perfumes which she heaped upon herself.
However, the All-compassionate and very Merciful Lord, not despising such an immodest and profane harlot, but as the Soreknower of the future, knew how much repentance she would later accomplish. Hence, in the following manner. He enlightened the eyes of her soul that she might know the truth.
In those days, at the See of Antioch, the Church hierarchs assembled to discuss a certain issue. Numbered among the bishops was the very virtuous Nonnos (commemorated on the 10th of November). A marvelous man, he led a life equal to that of the Angels. He was learned and skillful in the knowledge of the Divine Scripture. Instructing the Orthodox in what was beneficial to their souls, he gave a wonderful sermon outside the Church of Saint Julian. The wisdom of his words sermon outside the Church of Saint Julian. The wisdom of his words astonished all, because it was manifest that the Holy Spirit enlightened him. By the sweetness of his words, he attracted many sinners to repentance.
Now it happened that, at the very hour while he was preaching, Pelagia rode by in her carriage. Bedecked with her usual adornments, she also permeated the air with the odors of her perfumes. Beholding such a shameless display, the other hierarchs turned their eyes away at the sight of her. However, the blessed Nonnos knew that oftimes what a contrary can bring benefit and fruit. Gazing upon the harlot, he signed deeply and wept sufficiently that he soaked his garments. He thought himself most unhappy, because he deemed the harlot’s adornments as evidence of his own condemnation.
When the bishop went to recline, he beheld a vision. He was celebrating the Divine Liturgy, according to tradition, in the sacred temple. An ill-smelling and muddy-looking dove flew about him, emitting a stench which greatly annoyed him. When he said, "All ye that are catechumens depart," that same dove also went and perched without, until the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy. When that righteous man exited the holy vema, again he observed, as before, the dove flying near him. Thereupon, he extended his hand, took the dove, and immersed it in the font where they baptize catechumens. The dove was instantly cleansed and emerged so high that it no longer was visible. All that pertains to this vision was an image and preview of something of singular importance that would take place the following day.
In the morning, the bishop revealed his vision to his subordinate Hierodeacon Iakovos. Nonnos then went with his deacon into the church along with the other bishops. The Patriarch then delivered into the hands of Nonnos the holy Gospel so that, by the grace of the Holy Spirit which he possessed, he might teach the people.
The Repentance of Pelagia
In the crowd of listeners was Pelagia. Now she was not there for the sake of piety, for she never went to church previous to this day. Her presence was solely the divine behest and economy of the compassionate God Who wills that all "be saved and come to a full knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 2:4). The harlot listened to the bishop’s sermon on the soul, the righteous judgment of God, and His tribunal. Then–O the wonder! she, who was previously immodest, came to contrition. She bitterly wept and despised her loathsome deeds, and desired only the true Lover and Bridegroom, Christ.
Pelagia then sent two of her menservants to follow Nonnos and learn where he dwelt. After they had done so, she sent him a letter which stated: "To the holy bishop and disciple of Christ: from the disciple of the devil, Pelagia, and open sea of iniquities, renders abject homage. I have heard, o saint of God, from a certain Christian, that the Master came not ‘to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Matthew 9:13); and that He does not despise even loathsome harlots, thieves, and tax collectors. Much rather, He, Whom the cherubim dare not gaze upon, associated and conversed with them. If therefore, thou art also the servant and athlete of such a Teacher, show forth unto me this work. Do not loathe me the harlot who is, as the, of the same race and a fellow slave. Instead, vouchsafe me, I entreat thee, to confess my sins to thee that I may save my souls through thee."
After reading the letter, the holy Nonnos hesitated. He did not wish to speak alone with her. Therefore, he ordered that she go to the church, when the other bishops were present, and say all that she desired. Pelagia obeyed and seized the moment and, went to the church. She then bowed to the ground and soaked the feet of the bishop with her tears, as the harlot of Christ’s times (Luke 7:38). With the flow of her tears, she said in a great voice, "Take compassion on the sinner, O holy father, and imitate thy Master. Baptize me and guide me unto repentance, because I am a sea of iniquity, an abyss of destruction, and the devil’s snare and spoil; for by reason of me, many have gone to damnation. Now, by the grace of God, I regret my harlotry and seek repentance, so I might not be condemned eternally."
This divine change, brought about by the Right hand of the Most High, was witnessed by the hierarchs. The sacred Nonnos then said to her, "The rules of the Church order that a harlot may not be baptized if she cannot produce certain ones to vouch for her that she will no longer return to her former sins." However she pleaded with him saying, "If I delay receiving Baptism, the supplanter (the devil) shall ensnare me again and cast me into my former wanton behavior." When Nonnos heard her firm resolve, he glorified God at such repentance. Therefore, after she made her confession, he asked her for her name. She answered, "From the beginning I was called Pelagia. The bishop then baptized her in the name of the Holy Trinity, naming her "Pelagia." Her sponsor, or godmother, was a certain virtuous deaconess, the Nun Romana. At the completion of the Divine Liturgy, Pelagia communicated the immaculate Mysteries (Sacraments). All the people celebrated the occasion of the salvation of her soul, each deeming this happiness his own, since the supplanter (the devil) was vanquished.
A few days after her holy Baptism, Pelagia summoned her trustworthy slave. She ordered him to make a record of all she possessed, that is, gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, vessels, garments, and everything else. Pelagia then took the record and placed it in the hands of the good bishop, saying, "Receive, holy master, whatever is listed on this record. Distribute the goods as thou deem fit, because for me the ultimate wealth is my Bridegroom, the Master Christ." Nonnos then called the warden and distributor of charity for the Church and entrusted into his hands the entire treasure, saying, "I adjure thee, before God, not to withhold any of these items for the Church. Thou art to distribute the wealth among the poor, widows, and orphans, so what was evilly gathered may be dispersed to do good.
From the day that she received holy Baptism, the blessed woman would not partake of her bread which had been bought by her ill-gotten means. Pelagia removed her feminine garb and dressed in a hair shirt and in a tattered tunic. She left for Jerusalem without revealing her plan to her spiritual godmother Ramana. Romana was alarmed but Nonnos consoled her and told her not to worry, for Pelagia had chosen the good portion, as it is written of Mary in the holy Gospel (Luke 10:42).
The blessed Pelagia went to the Mount of Olives where she remained immured for three years in a cell. She was deemed worthy to repose in an odour of sanctity, in the middle of the 5th century. She was unknown to all, since she took on a man’s appearance. She struggled and accomplished so many virtues against the devil and feats of wrestling that only God, Who sees the secret things, knows them.
The Repose of the Saint
Saint Pelagia became known as Father Pelagios for they all thought that he was a pious monk. All thought well of him and praised him for his severe asceticism, lauding him as a most holy man replete with virtues. After a short time, it was heard by all at the skete (a small monastic community) that Pelagios had gone to the Lord. Therefore, many assembled not only from Jerusalem but als from Jordan, Jericho, and surrounding parts to bury with great reverence the holy relics. Her tomb on the Mount of Olives has been a place of pilgrimage ever since.
According to custom, the relics were to be anointed with holy myrrh. When this was about to be done, it was discovered that Father Pelagios was a woman. Astonished, all glorified the Lord Who empowered her to battle against the enemy and decisively defeat him. People converged and contended one with the other to honor and embrace the holy relics. Holy men then devoutly took up the holy relics, followed by a crowd bearing candles and censers. Thus, she was honorably buried as was fitting.
Let us meditate upon death every hour, that we might defeat the pleasures of the flesh and rejoice with Christ Jesus the Lord, to Whom is due all glory, honor, and worship unto the ages of ages. Amen. [Source: The Great Synxaristes of the Orthodox Church)
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"Glory Be to GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 